Neuropsychological, MRI and EEG findings alter very mild traumatic brain injury

Neuropsychological performance, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electr oencephalography (EEG) were investigated in 12 consecutive patients with ve ry mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) (Glasgow coma score 15) within 24 hou rs and 6 weeks after injury. The data were compared to 14 control subjects. There was a significant impairment in neuropsychological performance (verb al memory, arithmetic abilities and psychomotor reaction time) at onset and after 6 weeks, whereas verbal fluency and non-verbal memory lest revealed no significant differences matching the control values. In MRI scans, three patients showed traumatic lesions (slight epidural haematoma, haemorrhagic contusions and white matter lesions indicating diffuse axonal injury). In the EEG recordings, no generalized slowing or focal changes were found. Str uctural and functional impairment can be identified using neuroimaging and neuropsychological examination, even in very MTBI patients.